The Volki

Chapter Five, Tequila And Vodka

Chilling in the living room of the Mikhailov Milan House, I find myself on the couch within Axton's arms, feeling his warmth and comfort. We both watch with amusement as Amir and Avrora play Princess together. Avrora's laughter fills the room, a sweet and infectious sound that makes us smile.

Suddenly, Nikhil comes into the room with a deep concerned face. "Vasilisa?" Nikhil's voice interrupts my thoughts.

"What is it?" I reply, turning my attention to her.

"The Montis have demanded a meeting to discuss our relationship with their princess," Nikhil says, struggling to contain her laughter as he say 'princess' but ultimately failing, which I can't blame him.

"Set up the meeting," Axton says firmly, not even moving a muscle.

"But-" Nikhil starts to protest.

"Nikhil," I interrupted him, standing up from the couch and my husband Axton's embrace. "We know what we are doing." I locked eyes with my brother, giving him a confident nod, letting him see the determination in my gaze.

"Sorry, I am just worried," Nikhil said as his face twitched.

"I-" I started to respond, but before I could continue, a joyful, little shout interrupted us.

"Uncle Nil!" Avrora's being a ball of energy, charges at Nikhil's leg.

Nikhil turned to face her, a smile breaking through his . "Hey, Avrora," he greeted warmly, kneeling down to her height.

"Guess what?" Avrora's eyes sparkled with excitement as she ran over to him.

"What?" Nikhil's voice carries a mix of confusion and surprise as he looks up from his phone, his brow furrowed.

Avrora bursts into the room, her small face beaming with excitement. Her pigtails bounce with each enthusiastic step as she practically shouts, "Mommy got me a puppy!" Her eyes are wide with joy, sparkling like stars.

Nikhil's confusion deepens, his gaze darting between Avrora and me. "Mommy didn't," he says slowly, his tone a mixture of disbelief and caution. He knows I wouldn't make such a big decision without discussing it first.

"Looky," Avrora insists, her voice filled with childish glee. She turns slightly, revealing a small, fluffy bundle cradled in her arms. "This is Maxie!" she announces proudly, holding up a cute stuffed Black Labrador.

Nikhil's expression softens immediately at the sight of the puppy. His initial skepticism melts away, replaced by a warm smile. "Maxie is so pretty!" he exclaims, his voice gentle as he leans in to get a better look at the tiny creature.

I watch the scene unfold, a mix of emotions swirling within me. While Avrora's joy is infectious, I can't shake the worry gnawing at the pit of my stomach. This wasn't planned, and in our line of work, surprises can be dangerous. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what needs to be done.

"Avrora, I need to talk to Uncle Nil for a moment," I say, keeping my voice calm and steady despite the tension I feel.

Avrora looks up at me, her big eyes full of innocence. "Okay, Mommy," she responds without hesitation, hugging Maxie tightly to her chest. "Come on, Maxie, let's go play," she says hugging her new friend as she turns to leave the room, her footsteps light and excited.

As Avrora's giggles fade down the hallway, I turn my attention back to Nikhil. The playful atmosphere dissipates, replaced by a heavy seriousness. "We need to prepare carefully for this meeting," I say, my voice low and urgent. "My family will question my relationship."

Axton, who has been quietly observing until now, lets out a deep sigh. He rubs his temples, a gesture that speaks volumes about the stress we're all under. "It's understandable," he says, his deep voice tinged with resignation. "They must be concerned about your safety and well-being."